Combined show-case and separator



(No Model.)

B. JONES.

V COMBINED SHOW CASE ANDSEPARATOR. N0.272,703.'

Patented Feb. 20,1883.

INVBNTOR ATTORNEY WITNESSES N, PETERS, Pheloukhugnphnr, waun mm n. c.

,- Unites STATES ERWIN JONES, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

COMBINED SHOW-CASE AND SEPARATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 272,703, dated FebruaryfiO, 1883. Application filed January 11, 1882, Renewed November 24, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERWIN JONES, of Brooklyn,in the county of Kin s and State of New York, haveinvented a new and Improved Oombined Show-Case and Separator, of which the following is a clear and exact description.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved device for holding and exhibiting fruits, vegetables, &c.

The invention consists of a box or case whose front is closed or covered with a vertical wire screen, while an inclined screen and shelf are fixed within the case, projecting toward each otherfrom rearand front,respectively,to receive and support the contents of the case. the said inclined screen beingalso designed forscrcening out the dirt and smaller fruits and vegetables,

850., from the case contents into the bottom of the case, whence they may be removed through an aperture in the back of the case, and serving also to direct the contents of the case forward beneath the shelf to the lower front edge of the case through an openinginto a suitable tray or receptacle, from which they may be readily removed.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the show-case, with parts broken away to exhibit other parts.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation of the same on line a; m, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

1n the drawings, A represents a box or case, preferably rectangular, having closed or solid sides a, b, an open front c,and a back partially closed or solid, as shown at (1.

Over the open front of the case, on the inner face thereof, is fixed a wire screen, 13, through which the contents of the case may readily be seen.

Extending from the inner face of the back d, from about midway of the height of the case A to or nearly to the bottom of the inner face of the front strip,f, at an inclination of fortyfive degrees, or thereabout, is a screen, 0, for supporting the contents of the case, and directing them forward to the opening 9, made in the I front strip',f. Said screen 0 may be of any desired mesh, and serve to screen out or separate the dirt, 8w, from the case contents, and when potatoes, turnips, tomatoes, 660., are contained in the case A, said screen 0 may be coarse enough to separate the smaller from the into or upon the case-bottom D, whence they may be removed through a rear opening, h, and the larger vegetables or fruit sliding down the screen 0 out of the front opening, g, into the front extension, m, of the bottom D, which forms a sort of tray or receptacle for this purpose.

It will be seen that as the contents of the case gravitate downward as theyare removed from the bottom opening, 9, the inclined board G will cause the contents to move from the screen B,thereby preventing the articles from sifting through said screen.

The top of the case A is preferably closed by hinged covers E, to prevent the ready ab- .straction of the case contents and to keep sun and rain therefrom.

The case maybe filled from the top or through an opening, it, in the back, which opening n is closed by a hinged door, 0.

A shelf, G, extending downward from the inner face of the front stri 1,12, to ward the screen 0, and about half-way across the case A,serves to sustain a portion of the weight of the case contents, and to direct them upon said screen O, preventing them also from falling directly to the lower tront of the case.

Preferably said show-case is set upon casters H, that it may be readily moved from one place to another.

Among the advantages of this show-case it may be stated that the dirt and smaller vegetables and fruits are screened out as they pass down over the inclined screen; that the trout and rear openings and the screens afford ample ventilation for preserving the fruit and vegetables in good condition, and that it is perfectly calculated to display the articles tor which it is designed.

From the ordinary fruit and vegetable receptacles of this character the contents are taken trom the top by hand or scoop, and the straw or other refuse silting from scoop or hand and falling back on the top of the case contents accumulates thereon and presents an objectionable appearance, suggesting to an observer that the said contents are dirty or of a poor quality. In this show-case, however, the vegetables, fruit, &c., being taken from the bottom, there is no accumulation of refuse at point, and consequently the appearance of the contents is not impaired.

I am aware that inclined sieves and counters having screen-faced rec ptacles are not new, and I do not claim either invention.

What I claim is-- 1. Acombined show-case and separator consisting of a case or box, at, having an open front covered by a screen, B, and provided with an inclined shelf, Gr, and an angular screen, 0, secured within it, with its lower edge extending below the lower edge of the front screen, B, substantially as described.

2. In a combined show-ease and separator, the case it, provided with an open front, 0, and with openings h and g in its front and rear sides, near the bottom,in combination with the anv screen 0, secured within the case at an angle thereto, and having its lower edge extended below the edge of the front screen, and the inclined shield G, secured within the case at a reverse angle to the screen 0, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. The combination, with the case A,having closed sides (6 b, open front 0., and partiallyclosed back d, and provided with dischargeapertures g h, and forward-extemling' bottom D, of the vertical front screen, B, internal inclined screen, 0, and inclined shelf Gr, substantially as herein shown and described.

ERWIN JONES.

Witnesses:

U. SEDGWIOK, ISAAC U. TREADWELL. 

